The first day of the memorabilia auction in Coventry saw a scarecrow outfit from the opening ceremony sell for £2,200 and a Mary Poppins costume worn on the same night fetch £200.

Games-makers were given the first shot at landing memorabilia before the crowds filled out the hall. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

People rushed to buy a myriad of collectable items at the two-day sale at the Ricoh Arena, from sporting equipment like tennis balls, javelins and running track blocks to commemorative towels and posters.

Buyers could pay for a framed memory of Tom Daley's dive to an Olympic bronze. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

A London 2012 spokesman said 1,500 people had attended the first hour of the sale alone.

Games-makers and other Olympics volunteers were given early entry to claim a first pick of the general sale items before the rush began.

It's fair to say we were expecting it to be popular but that was beyond what we expected. We had massive queues both outside the venue and inside. People were literally picking up and walking around with armfuls of stuff.

– London 2012 spokesman

There was a rush for chocolate among the sale attendees. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

The money raised from the sale will go back to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games' (Locog) general budget.

Many came away with multiple mementos from the scramble. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire